Acid Reflux GERD Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease

Acid Reflux also known as GERD, or Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease, is a condition that involves the back-flow (reflux) of the contents of the stomach and causes troublesome symptoms and also possible complications. The most common symptom of Acid Reflux / GERD is heartburn. Heartburn is so common that it may not be recognized as a symptom of disease. However, repeated heartburn can be a sign of Acid Reflux / GERD. Heartburn is not the only symptom associated with Acid Reflux / GERD. Other symptoms are troubles swallowing, sore throat, or hoarseness in the morning. Sometimes Acid Reflux GERD may be present even without heartburn.

Acid Defense by Garden of Life can be taken every night or when the symptoms occur, to reduce acute symptoms. Acid Defense is a powder that is mixed in 8 oz of water. It contains a blend of alkalinizing minerals, enzymes and probiotics from goat's milk. It soothes the stomach and digestive tract

Probiotics will help the long term conditions by changing the ratio of bad to good baceria in the digestive system. There are severeal to choose from. Dr Ohhira's OMX Professional Probiotic Formula is an excellent choice. Others are Primal Defense, Culturelle and VSL#3. When the ratio of beneficial to pathogenic bacteria is out of balance, it may result in symptoms of acid reflux

Use enzymes at every meal. Vegiezymes is one example of a superior digestive enzyme formula that you can take with meals, as well as between meals to help with assimilation and repair of the digestive tract. Other enzymes to choose from are Omegazyme and Ultrazyme

We also recommend that you stay away from certain foods and beverages like chocolate, peppermint, fried or fatty foods, coffee or alcoholic beverages as they may cause acid reflux and heartburn.

Easy Home Tests are Available.

A simple Litmus paper test can be used on a daily basis. Just break off a small strip and insert into the first urine stream in the morning. Then compare it to the color on the outside of the plastic container. If its yellow, its too acidic. A daily check can assist you assess your body's acid/alkaline balance and make corrections to your diet and supplement program that will help reduce your symptoms.

A comprehensive home stool test can also give you a better picture of your digestive function as well as the ratio of good to bad bacteria which often contributes to the symptoms of acid reflux. The test also offers a noninvasive differential diagnosis between Inflammatory Bowel Disease (Crohn's Disease and
Ulcerative Colitis) and Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS). It includes an bacteria, yeast and parasite evaluation, a reliable assessment of exocrine pancreatic function, and a noninvasive risk assessment for colorectal cancer. Fortunately, if bacteria, yeast or parasites are detected, the lab, Genova, grow out what they find so as to establish which natural or medical agents will inhibit their growth.

Heartburn

The most common symptom of Acid Reflux, Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease GERD is heartburn which is a very uncomfortable burning sensation behind the breastbone. This usually occurring after a meal.

Heartburn can interrupt your sleep, limit your activities, keep you from the foods you love; in short, it can change the way you live your life.

Heartburn is so common that it is often not associated with a chronic disease and is self-treated.

What causes GERD?

One of the major factors which results in Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease or GERD
is that the stomach fails to empty itself in a normal fashion. Gastroesophageal reflux is something that may happen just for a short time after eating. However, if this happens for an extended period of time as the disease pattern develops, acid reflux results in contact between acid and the wall of the esophagus, the food pipe, and this leads to inflammation and scarring of the esophagus.

Other causes of acid reflux and GERD and heartburn include:

dehydration,

excessive bad bacteria in the esophagus and stomach,

food sensitivities,

inappropriate gastric/esophageal motility and emptying,

inadequate enzymes,acid and mucus production,

antioxidant imbalance, and

poor nutrition to name a few.

Here are the main symptoms of Acid Reflux GERD Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease

Heartburn

Regurgitation of gastric acid or sour contents into the mouth

Difficult and/or painful swallowing

Chest pain

Allopathic Treatment for Acid Reflux and Heartburn

Acid Reflux GERD and the main symptom of heartburn are often treated by conventional, allopathic, medical doctors with prescriptions for one of the many antacids like Nexium, or Prilosec. These drugs may help manage the acute symptom of pain, but does not, however, address or lead to the correction of the underlying problems that are causing the problems in the first place. Reducing short-term symptoms and yet ignoring the cause, can lead to long-term digestive problems by disrupting the natural digestive processes.

Effects of Long-term Acid Reflux GERD

Long-standing Gastre-esophageal Reflux Disease may lead to damage of the esophagus that results in breaks in the lining of the esophagus.
Sometimes ulcers can develop. This leads to scarring and narrowing of the esophagus and this makes swallowing painful or more difficult. GERD is also thought to lead to damage of the vocal cords or teeth and may even cause asthma.

Did you know that hiatal hernia often presents with GERD-like symptoms?
For this reason it is advisable to screen hiatal hernia if symptoms persist.